McDaniel steps down after a decade-plus of coaching

Georgetown College cross country and track and field programs will have a new front face this season, however, Luke Garnett is no stranger to either programs. Long-time coach Todd McDaniel has decided to retire from coaching, for now, and Georgetown is pleased to announce Garnett as the new head coach.

"Luke is a natural fit for our program, and we are excited to have him on board," said Georgetown Director of Athletics Brian Evans. "He knows the school. He loves the school. He knows the student-athletes and loves helping them reach for new goals.

"It is never easy to lose a coach of the caliber of Todd, with his work ethic, passion and the way he cares about Georgetown and the student-athletes. However, we all understand the need to take a step back and focus on family. We wish him all the best and expect to see him around still. Since his graduation, he's had a hand in helping develop both of track and cross country programs. We know Georgetown will always be near and dear to his heart."

McDaniel, a 2002 GC graduate, became an assistant coach following graduation and has guided the cross country men's team since 2010 and took over the women's team in 2013. He was key in restarting the track and field program in 2005, where he coached the men since 2009 and took the women over in 2014.

Georgetown College women had a strong showing at the Mid-South Conference Championships Saturday in Portsmouth, Ohio. The Tigers finished third out of nine teams and had four of the five scoring runners in the top 25.

Tayler Godar punched her third straight ticket to a national championship with a third place finish in 18 minutes 48 seconds. University of the Cumberlands' Danielle Hoop took first and host Shawnee State's Sarah Biehl was second.

Godar was the lone Tiger in the Top 10.

Mary Jefferson finished 13th in 19:56. Miranda Mullins came in 22nd with 20:35. Marissa Hale was next crossing in 20:51 for 23rd. Sydney Berry rounded out the scorers in 33rd with 21:53.

Tayler Godar set a Georgetown College cross country record, running a 17 minute 57 second 5,000-meter race Saturday at the Sand Shark Invitational. The women's team overall came in 14th out of 37 teams.

"It was an extremely fast race," said GC coach Todd McDaniel. "I was really proud of Tayler for keeping up with the pace. It is what runners can do when you take the hills out."

Tayler Godar finished second Friday in the #JennaStrong Fall Classic, edging her closest Mid-South Conference competitor by three seconds. This helped the junior earn her second MSC Runner of the Week honors of the season announced Tuesday by the league office.

"Tayler has been running really well and we were really excited with this finish," said GC coach Todd McDaniel. "We have one more tune up race before the conference meet."

This is the third overall time receiving the honor for the North Bend, Ohio native who finished the 5,000-meter course in 18 minutes 42 seconds. She was the top NAIA finisher in the 413-woman race.